the economy

[Mike Spalding]

Richard,

No to fee reduction and no discounts.  I plan to go through my customer 
database for people who haven't tuned for more than a year and send a 
"special" reminder card.  Otherwise, try to take the long view:  Cut 
back on spending and ride it out, don't do anything that would weaken my 
position on the marketplace when it begins to pick up again.  Or, to 
state it more positively, focus on those services and business practices 
which will make pianos owners want to come to me when they again have 
discretionary money to spend.  Give good value now, continue to remind 
them of things we can plan to do in the future to improve their piano.  
Example:  I've facilitated the approval of  warranty repairs for a loyal 
customer, which involves moving her piano to my shop for 2-3 weeks.  I 
will be providing a loaner at no charge, a small grand recently 
"remanufactured" which I want to sell.  Little chance of getting a good 
price for it now, so why not get some good will and some exposure?  I 
believe this will pay off in the long run.

Mike

richard.ucci at att.net wrote:
> List,
> Our services are postponable, and are more of a luxury than a 
> necessity to most people, Fill the tank with gas, or tune the piano?
>  
> What if anything are any of you considering to maintain business in 
> the comming months with the economy looking so bleak?
>  
> Cutting fees?
> Other discounts?
> Other services?
>  
> Thanks ,
> Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano